Flexible tubing



Sept' 9, 1930. G. L. WANAMAKER 1,775,334

FLEXI BLE TUBING Filed Jan. 15, 1929 FIG. 4. FIGB.

WMI 75W f /SMW Patented Sept. 9, 1930 UNITED "STATES GEORGE L. WANAMAKEIQ OF AMBRIDGE,

ELECTRIC PRODUCTS CORPORATION, O

DELAWARE I FLEXIBLE TUBING- Application led January 15, 1929.. Serialv No. 332,631.

This invention relates to improvements in flexible conduits and more particularlyrelates to a flexible conduit which' is adapted for uses whereJ a considerable degree of me'- chanical strength is required so that it may bend on a sharp radius without collapsing.

A further desideratum is that the conduit affords considerable resistance to abrasion and when in use, for example in automobiles where there vis considerable vibration, the conduit is noiseless. Suchconduit, furthermore, frequently contains grease, for example when the conduit is used as a covering for a speedometer cable, and provision should be made for insuring against the escape of the grease from the interior of the cable and in particular preventing the grease or interior lubricant from permeating through the conduit walls to such an extent that the conduit is unsightly upon the exterior thereof.

The present invention is directed to the provision of an improved conduit formed in a particular way from certain composite materials to the general end that the foregoing and other qualities may be secured as will hereinafter be more fully set forth in the accompanying specification and claims and Shown in the drawings.

The drawings by way of illustration show a prefered embodiment of the invention.

Figure l is a view of my improved iexible conduit material drawn to show the interior construction and materials which are employed;

Fi s. 2 to'5 inclusive show various forms of meta filler.

In more detail 10 represents a metallic filler wound with' spiral convolutions as shown; Woven in and out between this filler are warp strands 1l of fibrousmaterial such as cotton or wool. These strands serve to hold the convolutions of the metal filler 10 together and also serve as a base for the impregnating and covering materials. Impregnated through the warp strands is asphaltic saturating and impregnating material shown at 12. This asphaltic material serves not only to protect the fibrous material against moisture, but also aids in retaining oil and grease within the cable or conduit. Over the asyawhile permitting flexibility to t phaltic material there is laced a finished coating or la er of lacquers own at 13. Such lacquer pre made from a cellulose derivative as a base with a solvent, a coloring material and diluent .in excess of the solvent. Such lacquer specifically may be of the composition described, in Letters Patent to Young, No. 1,410,790. The use of such lacquer exteriorly of th'e asphaltic impregnated flexible conduit not only affords a very pleasin finish, but it also cooperates withthe aspha tic material to completely seal the conduit and entirely prevent any escape or permeation of ease or oil from the interior of the conduit to the exterior thereof. The lacquer furthermore is of such character that it does not have a solvent action upon asphaltic o`r like materials. The metal filler not only serves its strength mechanical function of affording e conduit erably comprises a composition when it is in service, but such filler also serves to prevent any shrinkage of the conduit when it is being impregnated with the `asphaltic materials. The particular configuration of the filler is immaterial. If desired, it may be flat as shown in Fi s. 1 and 2 or it may be round as shown in ig. 3, half round or D shaped as shown in Fig. 4, or elliptical as shown in Fig. 5.

The ultimate conduit is sturdy and strong and is entirely grease proof after extended use. Furthermore, its character is such that when in use with a speedometer cable the latter is quite noiseless in operation.

What I claim is:

1. A flexible conduit comprised of ller with the asphal- -f tions of metallic filler with warp strands of fibrous material which are Woven in and out between the convolutions of the metallic filler, asphaltic material impregnating the warp strands, said filler affording strength and preventing shrinkage of the warp strands when the asphaltic material is impregnated therein and a finish coat of lacquer of a com- Eosition made from a cellulose derivative as a ase, which material is impermeable b grease and insoluble in the asphaltic materia said lacquer coating being disposed over the as halt impregnated body portion and provi 'n additional moisture proof and grease 'resistlng charateristics to the conduit.

In testimony whereofV I hereto .aiix my signature.

GEORGE L. WANAMAKER. 

